JPH04273240A - Film cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a film cassette having a state displaying device informing a photographer of that a film strip wound on a film spool is unexposed or is partially exposed or is in effect exposed and a locking means fixing the state displaying device at the position of each exposure state. CONSTITUTION: The film cassette 1 is provided with the film spool 5, which pushes out the film strip supported and wound at the inside of a shell body 3 and an exposure state display device 119 displaying that the film strip is unexposed. The exposure state displaying device 119 includes a lock-out means 121 arranged, so as to engage with the preventing member of a camera, preventing the cassette 1 from being inserted into the camera when it is at an exposure position and a cutting part arranged opposite the lock-out means 121, so as to receive the preventing member, allowing the cassette 1 insertion into the camera when it is at an unexposed position.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the field of photographic technology, and more particularly, to automatically remove a film tip extractor that does not protrude outside a cassette shell in response to unwinding rotation of a film spool inside the cassette shell. This invention relates to a film cassette that can be advanced. More particularly, the present invention provides a status indicator that indicates to a photographer whether a film strip wound on a film spool is unexposed, only partially exposed, or substantially exposed; The present invention relates to a film cassette having a locking means for fixing the film cassette in each exposure state position.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Known 35 mm cameras, such as those manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company and Fuji Photo Film Company.
In a film maker cassette, a film strip is wound onto a flanged spool rotatably supported within a cylindrical shell. Approximately 2 inches 1/3 (5.9
2 cm) in length, the leading or forwardmost portion of the filmstrip, commonly referred to as the "film leading edge drawer", is
Normally, it protrudes from the light capture slit or the mouth of the cassette shell. One end of the spool has a short axial extension projecting from the shell to allow the spool to be rotated by hand. If this spool is initially rotated in the unwind direction, the film roll within the shell will tend to expand radially as the film strip is attached to the spool, leaving the cloudy tip protruding from the slit free to move. I'm not there. The film roll can be expanded radially until a slip-free relationship is formed between the outermost wrap and the inner curved wall of the shell. This non-slip relationship creates a binding effect between the film roll and the shell that prevents further rotation of the spool in the unwinding direction. Therefore, rotation of the spool in the unwinding direction cannot act to advance the filmstrip out of the shell, so in this typical 35mm camera there is no protrusion to pull the filmstrip out of the shell. It is necessary to engage the tip drawer portion.

[0003] Unlike conventional film cassettes, a 35 mm film cassette has been proposed in which a film tip extractor can be operated to automatically advance out of the cassette shell by rotation of the film spool in the unwinding direction. This film tip puller normally does not protrude, that is, it is entirely disposed within the cassette shell. Specifically, U.S. Patent No. 4,42, issued January 3, 1984.
No. 3,943, the outermost turns of a film roll wound on a film spool are radially constrained by peripheral lips of two axially spaced flanges on the spool, and the outermost turns are connected to a cassette. A film cassette is disclosed that avoids contact with the inner curved wall of the shell. The trailing end of the filmstrip is secured to the film spool, and the leading end or tip of the filmstrip is slightly tapered to allow it to extend freely between the peripheral lips and abut against the shell wall. . During the first unwind rotation of the film spool, the leading edge of the filmstrip is advanced into and through the non-light-opaque film path and out of the cassette shell. As a result, all that is required to advance the film strip out of the cassette shell is to rotate the film spool in the rewind direction. However, according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,943, the film cassette is loaded into the camera only after the non-protruding tip extractor has been advanced out of the cassette shell. This patent suggests manually rotating the film spool relative to the cassette shell until the film tip extractor is manually grasped and attached to the film advancement device within the camera. Therefore, the camera is not used to rotate the film spool and advance the film tip extractor from the cassette shell.

More recently, US Pat. No. 4,834,306, issued May 30, 1989, US Pat. No. 4,848,693, 198
U.S. Patent No. 4,875,638, issued October 24, 2009.
No. 4,88, issued December 12, 1989.
No. 7,110, U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,673, issued January 16, 1990, U.S. Pat.
Japanese patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,197 discloses another film cassette in which a non-protruding tip extractor is automatically advanced out of the cassette shell in response to rotation of the film spool in the unwinding direction. has been done. However, in these patents, compared to U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,943,
It is not suggested that the film spool be manually rotated to eject the film tip puller.

In a typical 35 mm film manufacturer's cassette, after the filmstrip has been fully exposed, the film spool is rotated in the take-up direction to cause the film tip extractor to wind back into the cassette shell. This is usually the case when the film strip is removed because the film tip puller cannot be continuously advanced out of the cassette shell due to the binding action that occurs between the film roll and the shell when the film spool is rotated in the unwinding direction. Acts as a fully or partially exposed indicator. Conversely, U.S. Pat.
, No. 875,638, No. 4,887,110, No. 4,
No. 894,673, No. 4,899,948, and No. 4
, 947,197, the film tip extractor can be automatically advanced out of the cassette shell by rotating the film spool in the unwind direction. This can be done regardless of whether the filmstrip is unexposed, fully exposed or partially exposed. Some of the film cassettes disclosed in these patents do not provide an indication of the exposure status of the filmstrip;
Others provide some indication of exposure status.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention preferably provides three
Disclosed as being embodied in a 5mm film cassette. Since the characteristics of film cassettes of this type are generally well known, the following description is directed specifically to elements forming part of or cooperating directly with the disclosed embodiments. . However, it is to be understood that other elements not shown or described in detail may take various forms known to those skilled in the art.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a film spool is provided which rotates to automatically push a film strip supported within a light-opaque shell and wound around the spool out of the shell. , a film supported for rotation relative to the shell from an unexposed position in which the filmstrip is visibly indicated to be unexposed to an exposed position in which it is visibly indicated that the filmstrip has been exposed; and an exposure status indicator, the lock being engaged by a blocking member of the camera to prevent the cassette from being inserted into the camera when the exposure status indicator is in the exposure position. and a cutout disposed relative to the lockout means for receiving the blocking member so that a film cassette can be inserted into the camera when the exposure status indicator is in the unexposed position; is aligned with the cutout to move the blocking member out of the way of the cassette when the exposure status indicator is in the unexposed position, and to move the blocking member out of the way of the cassette when the exposure status indicator is in the exposed position. The invention is characterized in that it includes cam means covered by said blocking member to prevent movement.

More specifically, the shell is configured to expose the lockout means to cover the cam means when the exposure status indicator is in the exposed position and to expose the cutout when the exposure status indicator is in the unexposed position. It includes a window-like means disposed proximate the camming means so as to emerge to expose the camming means.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 12 show an improved 35 mm film cassette 1 comprising a light-tight cassette shell 3 and a film rewinding direction U inside the cassette shell. and a film spool 5 rotatable around an axis X in the winding direction W. The cassette shell 3 consists of two shell halves 7 and 9 engaged along a grooved edge 11 and a stepped edge 13. The engaged halves 7 and 9 define upper and lower centered circular openings 15 and 17 for a relatively short end piece 19 and a long opposing open end piece 21 of the spool core or hub 23. , also defining a narrow, relatively straight film passageway 25 to the outside of the cassette shell 3. Spool core 2
The shorter end piece 19 and the longer open end piece 21 of 3 correspond to the corresponding edge portion 29 of each opening 15 and 17 of the cassette shell 3, respectively.
The film spool 5 is rotatably supported to rotate around the axis X in the film unwinding direction U and the winding direction W. A conventional black velvet or plush material 31 lines the inside of the film path 25 to prevent ambient light from entering the film path.

Roll 3 of 35mm film strip F
3 is wound around a spool core 23 to form a continuous roll of film. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the film roll 33 includes an outermost turn with a film leading drawer 35 having a leading end or front end 37, and a next wound portion behind this outermost turn. Inner winding part 39
Contains. Innermost winding portion 40 of film roll 33
The inner end or rear end of the spool core 23 is fixed to the spool core 23 using a known attachment means (not shown). Please refer to FIG.

A pair of upper and lower identical very thin flexible film restraint flanges 41 and 43 are spaced coaxially along the spool core 23 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, 12 and 13. It is arranged. These two flanges 41 and 4
3 each integral disc 45 and 47 and each integral annular lip or skirt 49 extending circumferentially from the discs.
and 51. The two discs 45 and 47 cover opposite substantially planar side edges of the film roll 33 bounded by corresponding opposite longitudinal side edges 53 and 55 of each successive turn of the film roll and also cover the spool core. 23 extends coaxially and connects the spool core to the flange 41
and 43, respectively, each having a central hole 56 that allows rotation relative to each other. See FIGS. 12 and 13. Each circumferential gap 5
7 is provided on the spool core 23 to support the flanges 41 and 43 on the discs 45 and 47 so that they can rotate independently about the axis X. The two gaps 57 are sufficiently spaced apart from each other along the spool core 23 to ensure that the respective inner surfaces 45' and 47' of the discs 45 and 47 are connected to the longitudinal side edges 53 and 57 of each successive turn of the film roll 33.
Hold it slightly away from the Please refer to FIG. 13. Annular lips 49 and 51 overlap the film leading edge drawer 35 of the film roll 33 radially outwardly of the longitudinal edges 53 and 55 of the film leading edge drawer (outermost wrap) 35 and extend the leading edge drawer 35 in the radial direction. restraint thereby preventing the tip drawer from radially expanding or clock-springing into substantial contact with the inner curved wall 58 of the cassette shell 3. Lip receiving notch 59
is cut into the film tip drawer (outermost wrap) 35 along the longitudinal edge 55 relatively close to the tip 37 to receive the peripheral portion 51' of the annular lip 51. This allows the relatively short edge portion 61 of the film tip drawer (outermost winding portion) 35 connecting the tip 37 and the notch 59 to overlap the annular lip 51 radially outwardly, thereby allowing the tip to be attached to the film roll. 33 and is held at a distance D in the radial direction from the next inner turn 39. See FIGS. 4 and 9. Tip 37
has a leading edge 63 that slopes from the longitudinal edge 53 of the film tip drawer (outermost wrap) 35 to the other longitudinal edge 55 of the tip drawer, and like the edge portion 61 has an annular lip. 51 to form a forward-most tip or tab 65 of the tip extractor which overlaps 51 radially outwardly. See Figures 1, 2, 8 and 9.

The two flanges 41 and 43 have a plurality of concentric arcuate grooves 66 cut into each disk 45 and 47 and extending longitudinally in the film unwinding and winding directions U and W. Engagement means in the form of respective hook-like members 67 located on the short end piece 19 and the long open end piece 21 of the spool core 23 are normally arranged in the concentric groove 66 and are arranged in the unwinding direction U. It moves along these grooves so as to engage the flanges 41 and 43 as the spool core rotates with respect to the flanges in the winding direction W, and disengages from the flanges as the spool core rotates with respect to the flanges in the winding direction W. Let it move along the groove. See FIGS. 12 and 13. Preferably each hook-like member 67 is connected to the spool core 2
3 with respect to the flanges 41 and 43 in the winding direction W, the hook-like member has an end face 67' that is inclined to facilitate disengagement from one of the concentric grooves 66, and in some cases the spool. The core is rotated in the winding direction far enough away from the flange to cause the hook-like member to return out of the groove.

A film stripper guide 68 protruding from the inner wall 58 of the cassette half portion 7 is connected to the film passage 25.
located just inside the inner entrance to the film tip 37 of the film tip drawer (outermost winding part) 35 and the next inner winding part 3.
9 to be received close to the frontmost tip 65 of the tip drawer, and as the spool core 23 rotates in the unwinding direction U, the tip is grasped and guided into the film path. . See FIGS. 1 and 4-7. The tip 37 is advanced past the stripper guide 68 and into the film path 25 rather than between the stripper guide and the next inner wrap 39 because the tip 37
is located a distance D in the radial direction from the next turn. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip 37 will be located within the area of the stripper guide 68 by a distance D from the next inner turn 39.

Film tip drawer (outermost winding part) 3
5 moves forward beyond the stripper guide 68 in response to the rotation of the spool core 23 in the unwinding direction U.
The longitudinal edges 53 and 55 of this tip drawer gently flex the respective arcuate portions of the two flanges 41 and 43 away from each other, i.e. further apart, so that the notch 59 first forms the lip portion 51'. and then the continuous longitudinal section of the tip drawer emerges from between the flanges to the outside of the unwinding cassette shell 3. See FIGS. 10 and 11. The film width WF between the longitudinal film edges 53 and 55 is the annular lip 4
Since the axial spacing AS between 9 and 51 is slightly greater, a deflection of the flanges 41 and 43 occurs. Furthermore, the continuous wrap of film roll 33 has a greater resistance to lateral bending than the resistance to flexure of flanges 41 and 43. Two pairs of flat curved bearing members 69 protrude from the inner wall 58 of each shell half 7 and 9, and as the flanges 41 and 43 are deflected away from each other, the continuous arcuate shape of the two discs 45 and 47 These flange parts lying flat against the parts and remote from the bearing member can only be deflected further apart. See Figures 1, 2 and 4. Bearing member 69 is located relatively far from film path 25. therefore,
Tip extractor 35 is relatively close to passageway 25 and can only be unwound from between flanges 41 and 43. Please refer to FIG.

A film flattening rib 71 projects from the inner wall 58 of the cassette half 9 near the inner entrance to the film passageway 25 and stripper guide 68, and extends a continuous longitudinal portion of the film tip extractor 35 from the tip 37. Starting from , these longitudinal portions are provided with substantially flat lateral support as they are released from the flanges 41 and 43;
Facilitates movement of the tip into the passageway. Please refer to FIG. Mild capture plush 3 inside film passage 25
1 is lifted along the passageway slightly beyond the longitudinal centerline L of the passageway. Most of the film flattening ribs 71 shown in FIG. 4 project toward the centerline L so as to support successive portions of the film leading edge drawer 35 substantially flat on the centerline. . Preferably, the film supporting tips or longitudinal edges of flattening ribs 71 are spaced 0.005 to 0.030 inches (0.127 to 0.762 mm) shorter than centerline L.

Two substantially parallel curved film support ribs 75 and 76 project from the inner wall 58 of the cassette half 7 and from the film flattening rib 71 a pair of bearing members 69 project from said inner wall. It extends in the longitudinal direction halfway between the two. See Figures 1, 3 and 4. The film supporting ribs 75 and 76 are bent when the film leading edge drawer 35 axially bends the flanges 41 and 43 away from each other.
extends longitudinally in all positions where it can escape from the restraints of flanges 41 and 43. As shown in FIG. 3, the film support ribs 75 and 76 are positioned so as to be slightly spaced from the film tip extractor 35 when the film tip extractor 35 is restrained within the annular lips 49 and 51. One more
Two film support ribs 77 project from the inner wall 58 of the cassette half 7 opposite the stripper guide 68. This rib 77 is substantially parallel to and shorter than the first two ribs 75 and 76. All three ribs 75 to 77 extend perpendicular to and join the flattening rib 71. Please refer to FIG.

When the spool core 23 is first rotated in the film unwinding direction U, the two flanges 41 and 43 are momentarily held stationary, and the film roll 33
Since its inner end is attached to the spool core, it expands in the radial direction or acts as a clock spring, and pulls the film tip puller (outermost winding part) 35 between the annular lips 49 and 5 of the flange.
Make sure to press firmly on point 1. However, there is generally no slippage between the film tip puller (outermost wrap) 35 and the annular lips 49 and 51 as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,834,306 and 4,848,693. The hook-like member 67 is moved along each groove 66 so as to engage the two flanges 41 and 43, securing them to the spool core. Next, when the spool core 23 rotates further, the flanges 41 and 43 similarly rotate. As a result, the tip 37 of the film tip extractor (outermost wrap) 35 is advanced past the shorter rib 77 and the stripper guide 68, and the continuous arcuate portion of the flanges 41 and 43 is removed in FIG.
bend them apart from each other as shown in the figure. This firstly causes the notch 59 to move away from the lip portion 51' and then allows the continuous longitudinal section of the film tip puller 35 to emerge between the flanges and outside the cassette shell 3. As the stripper guide 68 first grasps the tip 37 of the film tip extractor 35 near its forward-most tip 65, the leading edge 63 of this tip moves into contact with the film flattening rib 71 as shown in FIG.

The film drawer 35 is connected to the film passage 25.
When pushed through and out of the cassette shell 3, this passage provides some very little resistance to outward movement of the drawer due to the plush material 31. This resistance causes the drawer 35 to further flex flanges 41 and 43 away from each other, thereby causing the drawer to unwind further longitudinally from between the flanges. two ribs 75
and 76 are removed from the shell half 9, the drawer 35 may be rewound against the inner wall 58 of this shell half. Therefore, increased torque is required to rotate the spool core 23 in the film unwinding direction U. However, these two ribs 75 and 76 serve to strictly limit the extent to which the puller 35 can be unwound from between the flanges 41 and 43.

The spool core 23 is attached to the film strip F.
If a certain length is advanced from the cassette shell 3 and then rotated in the film winding direction W, the spool core is
It is free to rotate relative to the two flanges 41 and 43 because the hook-like member 67 is disengaged from these flanges and can move along each groove 66. This allows flanges 41 and 43 to rotate independently in the winding direction W, albeit at a slower speed than the spool core 23 is rotated in the winding direction W. Hook-shaped member 67
each exits from one of the grooves 66 and enters the next groove during continuous rotation of the spool core 23 in the winding direction W. At the same time, filmstrip F is wound back onto spool core 23 between flanges 41 and 43.

FIGS. 1, 12 and 14 show a film exposure status indicating/locking means 101 in which the longer open end piece 21 of a spool core 23 is integrally formed. Filmstrip F is unexposed, i.e. not all available film frames are exposed; filmstrip F is only partially exposed, i.e. only all available film frames are exposed. and the filmstrip is substantially exposed to light;
That is, marks ``unexposed,'' ``partially exposed,'' and ``exposed,'' each indicating that the entire film frame has been exposed, are printed on a label 103 glued to the cassette half-split 9. . See FIGS. 14 and 17. An end cap 105 forming part of the cassette shell 3 covers the display locking means 101. This end cap 105 has 3
It has peripheral display windows 107, 108 and 109 aligned with three markings "unexposed", "partially exposed" and "exposed", and a pair of separate lockout windows 111 and 113. These three viewing windows 107, 108 and 109 are spaced apart via arcuate side portions 115 and 116 of end cap 105, and two lockout windows 111 and 11
3 are spaced apart via arcuate side portions 117 of the end cap. The indicator/locking means 101 includes a peripheral indicator rib 119, a peripheral arcuate locking rib 121 and a peripheral arcuate cutout 123 extending between these two ribs. Indicator rib 119 is preferably attached to end cap 10
It has a red-like color that is different from the color of No. 5. When the indicator locking means 101 is rotatably disposed relative to the end cap 105 as shown in FIGS. 14, 17 and 18, the indicator rib 119 indicates that the filmstrip F is unexposed. The cutout portion 123 located in the display window 107 is close to the lock window and the cassette half-split portion 7
In an unexposed, non-lockout position, such as at lockout windows 111 and 113 exposing each cam or ramp 125 formed in the lockout position. When the display locking means 101 is rotatably arranged relative to the end cap 105 as shown in FIG. 15, this means that the indicator rib 119 is in the display window 108 and the filmstrip F is partially exposed. , the lock rib 121 is in the lockout window 113 and covers the cam surface 127, and the cutout 123 is in the lockout window 111 and exposes the cam surface 125 and is in the display window 107. in lockout position. When the display lockout means 101 is rotatably disposed relative to the end cap 105 as shown in FIG.
There is a lockout rib 121 in the display window 109 that indicates that the filmstrip F has been substantially exposed.
are in the lockout windows 111 and 113 that cover the cam surfaces 125 and 127, and the cutouts 123 are in the display windows 107 and 108.
in the full exposure/double lockout position, as shown in .

The end cap 105 has a central opening 129 aligned with the longer open end piece 21 of the spool core 23;
The longer open end piece has any one of three radial notches or pawls 135, 137 and 139 formed therein.
A radial groove 1 in which a locking member 133 is supported for movement in opposite directions between a locked position in which it is engaged at both ends and an unlocked position in which it is disengaged from the notch and disengaged from the longer open end piece.
31. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 14-17. When the display/lockout means 101 is in its non-exposed/non-lockout position as shown in FIG.
Locking member 133 engages longer open end piece 21 at radial notch 135 . When the indicator/lockout means 101 is in its partially exposed/single lockout position as shown in FIG. 15, the locking member 133 engages the longer open end piece 21 at the radial notch 137. When the display lockout means 101 is in its full exposure/double lockout position as shown in FIG.
33 engages the longer open end piece 21 at a radial notch 139 . Therefore, the spool core 23 can be rotatably engaged with the indicator/lockout means 101 in any one of the non-exposed, partially exposed and fully exposed positions.

The radial groove 131 of the end cap 105 has a pair of opposed inner and outer openings 141 and 143, the first opening 141 opening into the inside of the cassette shell 3 and the second opening opening into the cassette shell 3. The opening 143 opens to the outside of the shell. The locking member 133 has a pair of opposing ends 14
5 and 147, of which a first end 145
three radial pawls 135, 137 and 139 projecting from the first opening 141 when the locking member is in the locked position.
the second end 147 protrudes from the second opening 143 when the locking member is in the unlocked position and is pushed further into the radial groove 131 to place the locking member in the locked position. Make it move. The radial groove 131 and the locking member 133 are such that only one end 145 can protrude from the inner opening 141 when the locking member is in the locked position, and only the other end 147 can protrude outward when the locking member is in the unlocked position. It is formed with a relative size so that it can protrude from the opening 143.

Cooperative or securing means are formed in the radial groove 131 of the end cap 105 and the locking member 133 to secure the end cap and the locking member to each other when the locking member is in the locked and unlocked positions. Movement between these two positions is prevented and the locking member is releasable when in the locked and unlocked positions to allow movement between these two positions. In particular, a first pair 149, 151 and a second pair 153, 155 of recesses in the end cap 105 open into the radial groove 131 and a pair of resiliently flexible tabs 157 of the locking member 133. ,1
59 is normally or essentially biased and moves into the first pair of recesses when the locking member is in the locked position and into the second pair of recesses when the locking member is in the unlocked position. Move to enter. This first and second pair of recesses 149, 151
and 153, 155 each include an angled edge 161 which acts as a cam edge to move the respective tabs 157, 159 in response to movement of the locking member out of the locked and unlocked positions. They are bent out of the recess, that is, toward each other. Figures 14A, 14B,
See 15 and 16. A central opening 163 in locking member 133 provides a gap that allows tabs 157, 159 to easily flex toward each other. The central opening 163 opens the end cap 10 when the locking member 133 is in the locked position.
5, the locking member passes through the access opening and engages the central opening to move the locking member to the unlocked position. See FIGS. 1 and 17.

A film information disk 167 is coaxially secured to the short end piece 19 of the spool core 23. Figure 1
, 2 and 12. Information disc 167 has an annular array of optically readable information comprising a bar code 169 consisting essentially of a series of radially disposed optically reflective bits and non-reflective bits.

FIG. 17 shows a camera device 201 used in conjunction with the display/lockout means 101 of the film cassette 1. The camera device 201 includes a camera body part 203 having a loading chamber 205 with an entrance opening 207 and in which the film cassette 1 is vertically accommodated. A conventional spindle 208 extends into the bottom of the loading chamber 203 and is received within the central opening 129 of the end cap 105 and is loaded with a cam pin 209 that engages and rotatably supports the spool core 23. Disposed at the bottom of the chamber 205 and received through the access opening 165 of the end cap 105 into the central opening 163 of the locking member 133 to automatically move the locking member from the locked position shown in FIG. 18 to the unlocked position shown in FIG. Make it move in a targeted manner. Therefore, the display/lockout means 101 (and the spool core 23
) can be rotated in the winding direction W from the non-exposed position shown in FIG. 14A to the partially exposed position shown in FIG. 15 and from the partially exposed position to the fully exposed position shown in FIG. 16.

The detection/blocking member 211 located in the groove 213 opening into the loading chamber 205 is connected to the helical compression spring 21.
5 and the hooked end 2 of the sensing/blocking member
19 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 17 around the support pin 217 until it protrudes into the loading chamber. In this normal position, the sensing/blocking member 211 engages with the camming surface 125 of the cassette half 7 when the cutout 123 is in the lockout window 111 or with the lockout rib 121 when the lockout rib 121 is in the lockout window. and the hook-shaped end 219 is arranged to abut against the hook-shaped end 219 . See FIGS. 18-20. When the film cassette 1 is first inserted into the loading chamber 205 and the indicator/lockout means 101 is in the unexposed or partially exposed position as shown in FIGS. You won't be hurt,
The hooked end 219 of the sensing/blocking member 211 is contacted to cam or pivot the sensing/blocking member out of the way of the cam surface to allow further insertion of the film cassette into the loading chamber. See FIGS. 18 and 19. However, if the film 1 is initially inserted into the loading chamber 205 and the indicator/lockout means 101 is in the fully exposed position as shown in FIG.
covers the camming surface 125 and is captured by the hooked end 219 of the sensing/blocking member 211 to prevent further insertion of the film cassette into the loading chamber. Please refer to FIG. 20. In this way, the camera device together with the detection/blocking member 211 allows the film cassette 1 to receive film in a fresh, unexposed or partially exposed state.

Another embodiment of this detection/blocking member 211 is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the reference numbers 211', 213' and 219' are replaced by the reference numbers 211, 2
13 and 219. If the film cassette 1 is initially inserted into the loading chamber 205 with the indicator/lockout means 101 in the unexposed position as shown in FIG. Detection/blocking member 2 not covered by 121
11' to cam or pivot the sensing/blocking member out of the way of the cam surface to allow further insertion of the film cassette into the loading chamber. However, if the film cassette 1 is initially inserted into the loading chamber 205 with the indicator/lockout means 101 in the partially exposed or fully exposed position as shown in FIGS. Surface 127
hooked end 219' of sensing/blocking member 211'
to prevent further insertion of the film cassette into the loading chamber. In this way, the camera device together with the detection/blocking member 211'
only accept films in fresh condition.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, the cam pin 2
Leaf spring 2 connected to the inside of the loading chamber 205 near 09
21 is pressed against the end 147 of the locking member 133 when the film cassette 1 is first withdrawn from the loading chamber 133. This leaf spring 221 moves the locking member 133 from the unlocked position to the locked position before the spool core 23 is released from the spindle 208.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the label 103 with the mark "unexposed" and the corresponding display window 107 can be omitted. There is also a visible indication that filmstrip F is unexposed, since in this example no indication rib 119 is present on any one of the other windows 108 and 109.

[0030]

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems associated with film cassettes having lockout means for preventing loading of exposed film.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a film cassette according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the film cassette showing the cassette shell opened to reveal the film roll wound around the film spool.

3 is a front view similar to FIG. 2, partially shown in section; FIG.

FIG. 4 is an end view, partially in section, of the cassette shell, film roll and film spool with the film roll initially stored on the film spool;

FIG. 5 is an end view similar to FIG. 4, showing the film roll initially being unwound from the film spool;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the next stage in which the film roll is rewound;

7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a further stage in which the film roll is rewound; FIG.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the film roll and film spool, showing the film roll initially being stored on the film spool.

FIG. 9 is a side view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the film roll unwound from the film spool;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9, showing a state in which the film roll is further unwound from the film spool.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a film spool without a film roll.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a part of the film roll and film spool in cross section, showing a state in which one of a pair of film restraining flanges on the spool is fixed to the spool and rotates simultaneously with the spool.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the film cassette showing the unexposed position of the film exposure state indicator, with A showing the whole and B showing a part thereof enlarged.

FIG. 15 is an end view similar to FIG. 14 showing the exposure indicator partially moved to the exposure position.

FIG. 16 is an end view similar to FIG. 14 showing the exposure indicator moved to the full exposure position.

FIG. 17 shows each sensor/sensor that cooperates with the exposure indicator to prevent a cassette from being loaded into the loading chamber when the exposure indicator is in the partial exposure position, the full exposure position, or only the full exposure position; 1 is a perspective view of a film cassette and camera device including a blocking member; FIG.

FIG. 18 is a partially cutaway schematic diagram illustrating one stage of the interaction of the sensing/blocking member and the exposure indicator when the exposure indicator is in an unexposed position.

FIG. 19 is a diagram similar to FIG. 18 showing another stage of the interaction.

[Figure 20] Detection when the exposure indicator is at the full exposure position/
20 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 19 showing the interaction of the blocking members; FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1...Film cassette 3...Cassette shell 5...Film spool 111...Lockout window 113...Lockout window 119...Exposure status indicator 121...Lockout rib 123...Cutout part 125...Cam surface 201...Camera device 211...Blocking member 219...Blocking member

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A film spool supported within a light-opaque shell and rotating to automatically push a film strip wound therearound out of the shell, the film strip being unexposed. a film exposure status indicator supported for rotation relative to said shell from an unexposed position visibly indicating that the film is being exposed to an exposure position visibly indicating that the film has been exposed; lockout means arranged to be engaged by a blocking member in the camera to prevent the cassette from being inserted into the camera when the exposure status indicator is in the exposure position; a cutout positioned relative to the lockout means to receive the blocking member when the indicator is in the unexposed position and allow a film cassette to be inserted into the camera; is aligned with the cutout to move the blocking member out of the way of the cassette when the exposure status indicator is in the unexposed position, and to move the blocking member out of the way of the cassette when the exposure status indicator is in the exposed position. A film cassette comprising cam means covered by said lockout means for blocking. 2. The shell exposes the lockout means to cover the cam means when the exposure status indicator is in the exposure position, and exposes the cam means when the exposure status indicator is in the unexposed position. to expose the cutout portion so as to
2. A film cassette as claimed in claim 1 including window-like means disposed proximate said cam means.